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All-day fancy-filled and dynamic themed play times are a child’s reality and the door that paves the way to endless possibilities. The backyard playground or the very accessible community play space is where this unadulterated and usually larger-than-life dream begins. As soon as a child learns to speak and see the world through the eyes of someone who does not know fear and caution, prepare to get the most ambitious goals that will put a stop to the world’s most sought after shakers and movers. Some kids, on the other hand, are brought up by adventurous parents who spend their family time outdoors, up close and personal with nature. A zoo, a park, a museum, or simply playing with Mother Nature’s landscape –mud, gushing water, rocks, and the gentle breeze –gives birth to kids who are equipped with access to free play that fosters creativity while honing their critical spheres, too.

The time for revisiting the good old backyard playground must be taken seriously these days. Tapping the reality that creativity is honed during themed playtime is a practical and highly beneficial learning method, or parenting tip that can be easily weaved with both the routine of children and adults, too. More importantly, even kids with special needs can now take a more active part as creatively and safely-designed accessible playgrounds abound. Indeed when parents and educators re-instill the precious time for community playground activities, learning is made better, faster, and easier.

Blood is thicker than water, but for them, having the same blood is a big problem. If you have more than one kid at home, you’ve probably encountered what I’m about to tell you - sibling rivalry. Even with the same blood running on their veins, siblings will always reach that point where they would quarrel about some stuff. Yes, it’s all but natural and normal.

This normal flow of relationship between siblings is an issue that every parent is faced with. According to the Child Welfare Information Gateway, sibling rivalry and jealousy are composed of competitive feelings and actions that often occur among children, brothers and sisters, within a family. However, this issue does not only put stress on the kids, rather pushes the parents to take sides as well. Oftentimes, parents just settle and leave the kids fighting, but it this healthy to your household?

What do Abraham Lincoln, Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, Carrie Underwood, and Tom Cruise have in common? I’ll let you in on a little secret - they were once shy. However, they were able to overcome the shyness and bring out their hidden potentials. The key towards overcoming shyness? Spending quality time in playgrounds and having proper parental supervision and love to back you up.

Childhood shyness is normal, but if left unaddressed, could have a large effect on a kid’s development, particularly social development and skills. Severe shyness of kids in their early childhood may have a large effect on their social skills as this may be retained until they reach adolescence. The Shyness Breakthrough author and doctor Bernardo J. Carducci, PhD., explains that kids are born to be cautious in new situations. Shyness may be triggered by a number of factors such as strangers, crowded playgrounds, and even harsh experiences at home.

Did you know that in 2010 around 2.8 million school-aged children were reported to have some form of disability? That's 5.2% of the 53.9 million of US civilians between the ages of 5 and 17, and frankly, probably more than the number you thought represented children with special needs. Champions of accessible playground equipment had reason to rejoice though when the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) made it a basic civil right to be able to access play areas, with new standards set in place that required playgrounds to feature play equipment and surfaces that disabled children can use. It's a big leap for supporters of inclusion because now the law is on their side. Unfortunately, the fight is still not over because there are still limitations hindering children with disabilities from completely enjoying commercial playground equipment. One of these is the fact that the new ADA guidelines for playground equipment only apply to playgrounds made or altered after March 15, 2012. This means that older playgrounds are not required to follow the rules set by the ADA, making many play areas still unwelcoming for children with special needs.

Alone or with friends, children can have fun with playground equipment!

When you first held your little baby in your arms, you were sure that everything was right in the world. The moment was perfect. You couldn't wish for anything more at that point. Fast-forward to a couple of years and you're singing a different tune. Of course, you still love your child to the moon and back but whatever happened to that little angel quietly sleeping in your arms? Whatever happened to that perfect moment you have etched in your heart and mind? Whatever happened to peace and quiet? If your days are starting to feel more like a battlefield than serene playtime in the playground, toddler tantrums are probably to blame.